arabicism
|a-ra-bi-cism|
/ˌærəˈbɪsɪzəm/
Arabic-derived word or feature
Etymology
'arabicism' originates from English, formed from the adjective 'Arabic' + the suffix '-ism', where 'Arabic' ultimately refers to the Arabic language (from Arabic 'al-ʿArabiyya').
'Arabic' entered English via Medieval Latin 'Arabicus' and Old French 'arabique', ultimately from Arabic 'الْعَرَبِيَّة' (al-ʿarabiyya). The English noun 'arabicism' was formed by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to the adjective 'Arabic' to denote a characteristic or practice.
Initially it referred broadly to things relating to Arabic; over time it came to be used especially for words, expressions, or stylistic features derived from Arabic (i.e., 'a word or feature borrowed from Arabic').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word, phrase, or linguistic feature borrowed from Arabic into another language.
The term 'algebra' is often cited as an arabicism in many European languages.
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Noun 2
a stylistic feature, turn of phrase, or influence in speech or writing that reflects Arabic usage or style.
The author's prose contains arabicisms that reflect direct influence from Arabic literary models.
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Last updated: 2025/09/30 17:20